He Survived a Shotgun Ambush Then the System Failed Him - Part 2

He Survived a Shotgun Ambush Then the System Failed Him - Part 2

Author: Citizens Behind the Badge December 18, 2025 Duration: 23:23
Heroes Behind the Badge
NewsCultureGovernmentSocietySociety & Culture

"Three years. That's all it took for my shooter to get away with it."

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**EDITOR'S NOTE:** This is Part 2 of Tom Weitzel's story, originally released on YouTube in December 2025. We're now making it available on all audio platforms.

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In Part 1, Tom Weitzel told us how he survived a gang ambush during a traffic stop in 1987. Part 2 is about what happened when the justice system failed him.

When ATF agents finally identified Tom's shooter years later, Illinois law said it was too late to prosecute. The statute of limitations for attempted murder of a police officer? Three years. For writing a bad check? Forever.

Tom went to Springfield and got that law changed. But he didn't stop there.

Now, as three of his own sons serve in law enforcement, Tom is fighting for something bigger: making line-of-duty deaths federal crimes—with federal investigation, federal prosecution, and the death penalty in all 50 states.

In this episode:

  • Why the current system fails officer families
  • What's happening at the ICE facility near Chicago
  • Tom's federal crime proposal that the Biden administration ignored
  • His collaboration with Citizens Behind the Badge to take it to Congress

If Part 1 was about survival, Part 2 is about making sure other officers don't face the same injustice.

Haven't listened to Part 1 yet? Find it in your podcast feed from December 16, 2025.


Heroes Behind the Badge is a podcast that brings you the untold stories of America's law enforcement community, from the front lines to the final call. Guided by Craig Floyd, who spent 34 years working alongside police officers across the nation, and joined by veteran facilitator Dennis Collins and law enforcement expert Bill Erfurth, the show cuts through misconceptions and focuses on the real people behind the badge. In each episode, listeners can expect candid conversations, hard-earned insights, and powerful moments that highlight service, sacrifice, and the realities of the job. If you want to listen episodes that go beyond headlines and hear stories shaped by experience and respect, Heroes Behind the Badge by {author} offers a clear, grounded perspective on the law enforcement community.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 52

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